Vasily Smyslov was champion of the USSR in 1949, 1955. World Champion 1957-1958. Three times played matches against Mikhail Botvinnik: 1954, draw, 1957 won, 1958 lost.Smyslov was a participant of match tournament La Hague-Moscow for the world championship title, and placed second after Botvinnik in 1948.Smyslov was a member of soviet team in the World’s Chess Olimpyads nine times from 1952-1972 and captain several times after that. Smyslov was Champion of Europa from 1957-73 with the soviet team.Smyslov conducted a school for high achievement in chess for 20 years. Smyslov was awarded with the Lenin Order.